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Sunday, February 28, 2016

Zach Bates graduated from the Police Academy on last week's episode of Bringing Up Bates. As Zach puts it, he was "volun-told" to perform the National Anthem at the graduation ceremony, after someone at the sheriff's department found out he could sing.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Soon after Michaela and Brandon return from their honeymoon,
Kelly, Carlin, Josie, Callie, Judson, and Jeb travel to Chicago for a visit.

“When I first got to Michael’s apartment, it was a perfect
little place, but it’s really, really small, which is fine; we started out small,” says Kelly. “But it was very crowded. They have a lot more stuff than they
have places to put it, and it was too cute of a place to be cluttered.”

The gals immediately start reorganizing the living room.

“What
have you been doing since I’ve been gone?” says Brandon when he returns from
work.

“It took like an hour to decide if he liked it,” says Carlin.

The next day, Michaela and her mom and siblings take the iconic architectural boat tour through downtown Chicago.

After the tour, it’s time for Kelly and the kids to head
home. “It’s always hard to say goodbye to any of the children, no matter what their
age is,” says Kelly.

Back in Tennessee, Erin and Chad discuss ideas for restoring
an old hutch. Woodworking and restoring dilapidated furniture are currently just
hobbies that Chad pursues in his free time, but he hopes to start a business in
the future.

“Restoring furniture, doing any project really, is a way to
relax for him,” says Erin, as she and Carson watch Chad work. The finished
product is incredible!

The Bates family gathers to celebrate Zach’s graduation from
the Blount County Regional Training Academy. The ceremony is delayed when Zach shows up late.

One of the speakers at the graduation ceremony reminds the recruits
that nothing is more important than their partner, both on the job and at
home.

It is an emotional day for Whitney and the rest of the Bates
clan. “I was a proud wife because not many guys put their life on the line for
people they don’t even know,” says Whitney.

“We are all super proud of Zach,” says Nathan.

The Bates family members, especially Whitney, admit that
they worry about Zach as he works as a enforcement officer. “It makes me pray
for him a whole lot more often,” says Kelly.

“[Zach] has become the kind of man I think…everybody wants their
son to grow up and be like,” says Gil.

Tune in to UP tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for an all-new episode of Bringing Up Bates, "Windy City Newlyweds."

Kelly Jo and several of the kids travel to Chicago to see the sights of the Windy City and help newlyweds Michaela and Brandon settle into their new apartment. Back in Tennessee, the entire family comes together to celebrate Zach's graduation from the police academy. Check out these videos:

For those who subscribe to gMovies, season three episodes have not yet been uploaded. (We will let you know when they become available, but UP
will most likely wait until all 13 episodes have aired on TV.)Visit our Watch Full Episodes page for links to our written recap of each episode.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Did you catch last week's new episode of Bringing Up Bates? Erin headed to Nashville to record her Christmas album, Comfort & Joy, with Andy Leftwich. Chad, Carson, and Tori went with her, while Kelly, Callie, and Lawson stopped by the studio to show their support (video below).

UP is giving away 19 copies of Erin's first CD, Merciful and Mighty. Click here to enter the sweepstakes.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Gil and Kelly surprise Judson with a bike for his fifth
birthday. Warden convinces his younger brother to try riding without training
wheels, but Judson doesn't like that idea. “I want my training wheels back on,” says the birthday boy.

Erin and Chad, along with Carson and Tori, head to Beech
Creek Studios in Nashville to record Erin’s Christmas CD with professional
fiddle player Andy Leftwich. (The Paines had been saving money to record a Celtic
CD before Carson’s birth, their plans changed when Carson came early.)

“Music is probably one of the biggest things in my life,”
says Erin. “I enjoy it because I feel like it encourages other people.”

Kelly, Callie, and Lawson stop by to visit Erin the studio. “When I hear
Erin play, I feel like it was a talent that the Lord gave her,” shares Kelly. “And
I feel like she uses it to try to encourage other people, and that really is
what drives her.”

“Erin is an amazing girl,” says Chad. “Just the fact that
after she’s had Carson she goes out and records a CD. I was so proud of Erin.”

If you watched the season two finale of Bringing up Bates, you may remember that one of the trick riders
from the Dixie Stampede promised to pay a visit to the house to teach the boys a few skills. Well that
day has finally arrived.

Trick riders Ashley Cutshaw and Shadow Montag arrive at the ranch--the Bates’ 135-acre piece of property where they keep their horses.

After learning a few tricks, the boys take Ashley and Shadow on a ride through their town of Rocky Top, Tennessee. “The Bates are very bold,”
says Shadow. “I mean, they literally run that town when they get out there
full-force.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever run through the middle of a town
before on a horse, like with traffic,” adds Ashley.

Tune in to UP tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for a brand new episode of Bringing Up Bates, "Training Wheels and Trick Saddles" (preview video below).

Judson turns five and is thrilled to receive a brand new bike for his birthday. He's getting bigger but still needs some encouragement to take off the training wheels and hit the road. Meanwhile, Erin heads to Nashville to record a Christmas album with fiddle player Andy Leftwich. Back at home, Lawson, Nathan, and Trace get a visit from a couple of trick riders from The Dixie Stampede and learn some tricks of their own.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

As we announced this morning, Erin (Bates) Paine, 24, and Chad Paine, 28, are expecting their second child! (Click here to watch a video message from the ecstatic couple.) The baby will join big brother,
Charles Stephen Paine IV “Carson,” this summer.

Erin and Chad said: “Valentine’s Day was the perfect
occasion to tell our family and celebrate the news of the new little
blessing God is adding to our family. It was the biggest surprise of our
year, but now we can hardly wait to meet our sweet baby this summer. We
cannot begin to describe the pure joy and excitement we're feeling. We
were so blessed by the outpouring of support during our first baby
Carson’s pregnancy; please continue to pray for us.”

Grandparents
Gil and Kelly Jo Bates added: “Erin and Chad surprised us on
Valentine's Day with news of a new grandbaby on the way. Our family is
growing, and we couldn't be any happier! There is something so exciting
and special about children that adds joy to a home! We feel very
blessed!"

Erin and Chad's news is especially exciting, as Erin experienced challenging and potentially life-threatening
issues during her last pregnancy due to a blood clotting condition. The
couple welcomed son Carson, now nine months old, on May 14, 2015. He was
born healthy and happy.

Taryn Yager, a photographer friend who has done numerous photo shoots for the Bates family, snapped these pictures of Erin, Chad, and Carson. (Learn more
about Taryn and her photography business on her website and Facebook page.)

At the Bates Valentine's Day banquet, Erin (Bates) Paine and husband Chad Paine announced that they, too, will be having another little one this summer. Erin and Chad's son, Carson, just turned nine months old. With 2 parents, 19 kids, 4 in-laws, and 5 grandchildren, the Bates family has reached a whopping 30 members.

Happy birthday to Jackson and Addallee Bates! Jackson Ezekiel--who is often referred to as Zach's twin--is turning 14 years old, while Addallee Hope--who is known for her contagious smile and selfless attitude--is turning 10 years old.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Over the weekend, Gil and Kelly Bates and their 19 children, four in-laws, and three (soon to be four) grandkids gathered in Tennessee to celebrate Valentine's Day.

February 14th is a special holiday for the Bates family. Newlyweds Michaela and Brandon Keilen traveled all the way from Chicago, Illinois, while the Websters--John, Alyssa, and Allie-Jane--made the trek to The Volunteer State from their home near Orlando, Florida.

(Click here to read more about the super-sized family's annual "I Love You Day" festivities.) Here are a few snapshots from their banquet:

Lawson actually started writing "I Will Always" more than two years ago. After singing a rough draft of the song at Zach and Whitney's wedding in December 2013, he polished it up and presented the final version at Michaela and Brandon's wedding 20 months later.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Check out this video clip from last night's episode. (Click here to read our recap.)

The week following Michael's wedding is difficult for Addee, Ellie, and Callie, who miss their oldest sister very much. “Watching Michaela get married and looking
around at all the other girls who are quickly growing up, we decided to take a
little date night, just for fun,” says Gil. The father of 19 takes his three youngest daughters out to eat at Rickard Ridge BBQ.

For those wondering, the song playing in the background of the clip is "You're A Part of Me" by Jillian Edwards, Zach Berkman, and Gary Philips.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

After their wedding, Michaela and Brandon honeymoon in Flathead
County, Montana.

The newlyweds’ first activity is fly fishing on Flathead Lake.
The Bates kids are not surprised to hear that Michaela ended up catching more
fish than Brandon. “[Brandon] is not the fisher type,” says Carlin. “He’s more
like the city, office desk, suit and tie kind of guy.”

“Fishing was fun, but with her being at the back of the boat
and me all the way in the front, I was ready for some time where we could
actually be together,” says Brandon.

The second activity is zip lining. (Michaela wears a dress and leggings under her harness.) The view is
breathtaking!

Michaela and Brandon also take a ride on the Alpine Slide,
an attraction that allows you to ride down a plastic track in a sled.

Back in Tennessee, Gil takes Addee, Ellie, and Callie on a
date to Rickard Ridge BBQ in Caryville. “Watching Michaela get married and looking
around at all the other girls who are quickly growing up, we decided to take a
little date night, just for fun,” says Gil.

According to Kelly, the week after Michael’s wedding was
very emotional for the little girls, who miss their sister older very much. “Just
spending time with Dad has a way of just making everything seem like it’s all
okay,” says the mom of 19.

Gil, who is supposed to be on a diet, orders sweet tea, but
the girls confiscate it. They give it back and tell him he can only have one
glass, but he accepts a refill while his daughters are in the bathroom.

After having worked in the sheriff’s department reserves for a few
years, Zach begins an 11-week training course at the Police Academy. The first part of the program
forced him to be away from home for an extended period of time, but now he is able to commute each day.

“I was going to sound tougher than that, but yah, I called
home crying every night,” admits Zach. “I missed my wife.”

Whitney says that the support she has received from her parents
and Zach’s family has been a lifeline. She and Josie, who used to chaperone
Zach and Whitney before they were married, prepare a meal for Zach.

Here are a few sneak peek photos to get you in the mood for tonight's episode. Bringing Up Bates "Fly Fishin Zip Linin Honeymoon" airs at 9pm ET/8pm CT. Be sure to come back to the blog after the show to read our recap. (Click here to watch a promo video.)

Brandon and Micheala grab a snack at Ceres Bakery

The newlyweds prepare to go zip lining

Michaela and Brandon both agree that marriage is better than they could have ever imagined

The lovebirds try their luck at fly fishing,

but both are disappointed to hear that they have to sit on opposite ends of the boat

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Michaela and Brandon Keilen are honeymoon-bound! Now that we've seen their wedding, it's time to watch the newlyweds explore the beautiful state of Montana. Tune in to UP tomorrow at 9pm ET/8pm CT for a new episode of Bringing Up Bates (summary and video preview below).

Thursday, February 11th, at 9pm ET/8pm CTBringing Up Bates "Fly Fishin' Zip Linin' Honeymoon"Michaella
and Brandon begin their life together as they travel to Montana for a
romantic honeymoon in the great outdoors. Back at home, Gil
treats his youngest daughters to a dinner date. They're growing up fast
but they're still daddy's little girls! And Zach comes home from the
police academy for a home-cooked meal with Whitney and Josie.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

After her wedding episode aired on UP last Thursday, Michaela (Bates) Keilen chatted with Noelle from PopCityLife.com about the day she tied the knot with Brandon and her new life as Mrs. Keilen.

Here are the highlights of the interview, but we encourage you to visit PopCityLife.com for more details.

Michaela says that her first kiss, which she shared with Brandon at the altar, was better than she ever could have imagined. "Waiting was definitely hard, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything," shares the newlywed. "My
dreams all came true that blissful moment."

Michaela is "completely overwhelmed by the love and kindness" shown to
her and Brandon by the approximately 800 guests who attended their
wedding.

While Brandon, a videographer/graphic designer for a ministry in Chicago, is away at work, Michaela spends her days studying and doing childcare. "I’m finishing up my last semester of college, while adjusting to the big
city and the cold winters," she tells PopCityLife.com.

Are there children in the Keilens' future? The newlyweds hope to have a large family, but they have not made any announcements yet. Right now, Michael says she is "embracing this
thrilling adventure of marriage that God has so graciously given me."

Monday, February 8, 2016

Michael Bates and Brandon Keilen decided to wait until the start of the ceremony to see each other in their wedding attire. As guests began arriving at the church, they snapped a picture of the two of them praying and holding hands on either side of a door.

Michael was determined to catch a glimpse of her groom, but the photographers made her promise not to peek. Watch the scene unfold in the video below, and see Gil's face light up as he watches his oldest daughter pose for her bridal photo shoot.

For those who are unable to tune in live to Bringing Up Bates, we know you are eager to watch the latest episode.

If you live in the United States, iTunes now has "Wedding Bliss and a First Kiss" available for purchase, as well as all past episodes (excluding the one hour special "Headed to the Altar"). Each episode costs $1.99 for SD and $2.99 for HD, and season passes can be purchased for $16.99 for SD and $25.99 for HD. Amazon U.S. still only has
season one available for purchase.

For those who subscribe to gMovies, you may be wondering why gMovies.com is no longer accessible. The web address has changed, but you can access gMovies by clicking here. Subscribers can stream seasons one and two, but season three has not yet been uploaded. (We will let you know when it is available, but UP will most likely wait until all 13 episodes have aired on TV.)

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Lawson Bates' new single, "I Will Always," made it on the list of the top 60 iTunes country songs of 2016. (Click here for information on how to listen.) He performed it at Michael's wedding as a duet with Rachel Leftwich.

A few readers have asked for the lyrics so they can sing along: "I Will Always"Lawson Bates

From the day that we first met
I knew that God had led our steps
As I grew closer to you
You became my everything
And I pray that I could be
The one who would make your dreams come true

And as we're standing here today
Daddy gives the bride away
I can't believe that we've come this far
And though I don't have much
I give you my love
And I want you to know
With all my heart

Chorus:
I promise to
Stand by you
Through all the storms in life
I'll be there and I'll be true
No matter what the road
In this life takes us through
I will always
I will always
Love you

Now I don't know what lies ahead
Or where life's road will bend
Only Jesus knows what tomorrow brings
But if sickness or health
In poverty or wealth
I'll be right there by your side
To walk through anything

So as you take my hand
Together we'll stand
And do our best to follow where God leads
You can always trust
No matter what
The way I feel right now
Will always be

Chorus

People say the only thing
That stays the same is change
But I can tell you right now
Until my dying day
The love I give won't fade

No matter what the road
In this life takes us through
I will always (I will always)
I will always (I will always)
I will always
Love you

Thursday, February 4, 2016

As Michael packs up her stuff at home, the girls beg her to
reconsider moving out. “The Bates name is diminishing!” says Tori.

“Y’all make it sound like it’s the end of the world,” says
Michael. “It is!” replies Carlin.

With only 30 hours to go before the wedding, dozens of
family members and friends—including the Duggars—work together to decorate Wallace
Memorial Baptist Church.

Michael and the bridal party head to a local nail salon,
while Brandon and his groomsmen stop by Prestige tuxedo to pick up their fancy
attire. (Click here to see a list of the wedding party.)

When the topic of the getaway car comes up, Brandon says he
has taken precautions to prevent the decorating from getting out of hand, although Lawson,
Nathan, and Trace Bates promise they won’t do anything too destructive. “No
pepper down the air condition vents,” says Nathan. “No sardines in the floor
board.”

Michael and Brandon decided early on in their relationship
to save their first kiss for the altar. “We haven’t practiced it, but we have
talked about it,” says the groom.

"Saving our first kiss was definitely not just an easy thing
to do,” shares Michael. “And just looking forward to it tomorrow and knowing
that it’s the first for both of us, it totally makes it worth all of the difficulty
times that we have wanted to kiss.”

The girls are running a bit behind schedule, but Kelly isn’t
phased. “Michael may want to be on time for the rehearsal, but until tomorrow,
she’s still a late Bates, along with the rest of us,” jokes the mom of 19.

Michael admits she is stressed out, but her wedding
coordinator—a family-friend who has coordinated all of the Bates kids’
weddings thus far—puts her at ease.

“I guess I have always had a little bit of
an organized tendency to me, but learning how to organize Bates weddings has
taken time and prayer,” says wedding coordinator Kim Nafziger.

When everyone meets at the church for the rehearsal, Carlin
breaks down crying, and Michael tries to console her. “Everything hit me all at
once, that this is really it,” says Carlin. “The dynamic of our family is going
to be different.”

John and Alyssa arrive from Florida, but the Bates hardly recognize
Alyssa, who had recently dyed her hair dark brown. (Her locks are naturally
light brown.)

On the morning of the wedding, Michael is eager to tie the
knot. “This is the day of my wedding, and I have never been so excited before,”
says the bride.

With four hours to go, both the guys and gals are
running behind. “I’m super excited, but I’m hoping everything comes together in
time,” says the groom.

As the seamstress laces the back of Michael’s dress and fits
the veil on her head, Callie starts bawling. “This breaks my heart,
Mom,” says Michael, as she scoops her little sister into her arms.

Michael had made it clear that she does not want flower
petals to fall during the kiss, so Brandon purchases two confetti cannons for the younger boys to
set off.

Pictures begin, and Gil tears up when he sees his daughter
in her wedding gown. “Michaela has never seen herself as someone that
wanted to be in the limelight,” says the proud father. “And she has never
viewed herself as lovely as we see her. And yet today, on her wedding day, she’s
the perfect picture of what we would all consider a lovely bride.”

Michael and Brandon decide to wait until the ceremony to
see each other in their wedding attire,but
they snap a picture of the two of them on either side of a door, holding
hands and praying together.

Despite all the delays, the wedding starts at 2:00 sharp.
Just before walking Michael down the aisle, Gil shares a special time of prayer
with his daughter.

The grandparents and Brandon's parents enter the auditorium to a live
performance of Lawson’s new song “I Will Always.” (Click here for information
on how to purchase.)

The wedding party, starting with matron of honor Kelly
Bates, walks down the aisle to Canon in G. “It was an honor that Michael asked
me to do that,” says the mom of 19. “Although I enjoy the role of mom…there is
nothing like knowing that they’re one of my best friends and I’m one of their
best friends.”

When everyone else is in place on stage, the doors open,
the guests stand, and Michael and Gil enter. When asked “Who gives this woman
in marriage to this man?” Gil responds: “Her Mother and I and her 18 siblings.”

A professor from the Bible college that Brandon attended gives
the sermon, and Gil officiates the rest.

After reciting their traditional vows, exchanging wedding rings, lighting a
unity candle, and praying with their parents, Michael and Brandon are
pronounced husband and wife. “And after I kiss her on the cheek, you can kiss
your bride,” says Gil, smiling with pride.

The elated newlyweds share their first kiss and then embrace in a
romantic hug, as the confetti cannons are set off from the audience.

“Knowing that I was his only girlfriend and the first girl
he had ever kissed and being able to give that back, it was priceless,” says
Michael. “Definitely worth waiting for,” adds Brandon.

The couple drives away in a tactfully decorated getaway car,
which Brandon successfully kept away from his brothers-in-law.

Lawson Bates just informed us that his new single, "I Will Always," has officially been released! You can buy it on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play or listen on Spotify. The song is a duet with Ricky Skaggs' niece, Rachel Leftwich.

Tune in to Bringing Up Bates tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT for a live performance. (Click here for more details on tonight's show.)

The day you have been eagerly awaiting is finally here! Michael's wedding episode, Bringing Up Bates "Wedding Bliss and a First Kiss," airs tonight at 9pm ET/8pm CT on UP. Check out these sneak peek photos:

Erin (Bates) Paine applies the bride's makeup

Michael ("Michaela") Bates smiles as she dresses for her wedding

Bridesmaid Jana Duggar touches up Michael's makeup before the ceremony

Michael comforts Callie, who is sad that her sister will be moving to Chicago

A unique decoration, courtesy of Bates Tree Service

Michael's bridal party

Michael and Brandon snap a picture before the ceremony

Gil Bates, doubling as pastor and father of the bride,

walks oldest daughter Michael down the aisle

Michael and Brandon pray with their parents during the ceremony

Jana Duggar shows her support with a smile

Brandon's parents light candles on the stage

Lawson Bates performs an original song, "I Will Always," during the ceremony